Kate Winslet collects CBE in Natalie Ellner hat

Actress Kate Winslet holds her CBE, for services to drama, which was awarded to her by Queen Elizabeth II during an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace Photo: GETTY

There's something about a trip to Buckingham Palace that brings out the exhibitionist in some women. When Katharine Hamnett collected her CBE in June 2011, her red feathered Philip Treacy creation stole the show (and nearly took the Queen's eye out). Never one to be outshone, Kate Winslet opted for a similarly show-stopping creation to be honoured by Her Majesty today.

Looking the epitome of elegance in a simple, black, Alexander McQueen skirt suit and classic court shoes, to collect her CBE, Kate saved the drama for atop her head opting for a custom-made hat by up-and-coming mask-maker and milliner, Natalie Ellner.

It's not the first time Ellner, 31, who hails from Cornwall and works out of a studio in Hackney, has collaborated with Kate. After her work caught the Oscar-winning actress's eye back in the summer, she was commissioned to create a series of animal-themed sculptural headpieces - including a fox, badger, bunny and a peacock - for Winslet and her family to wear to a private event.

Today's unusual feathered creation was also inspired by birds, this time Magpies, but also Art Deco lamps, and of course, Kate's McQueen outfit.

"It's taken about a month to create, going backwards and forwards with Kate," Natalie explains. "She had a lot of input, it had to reflect her personality".

So did Kate brief her to make something that would make such a bold statement?

"It's such an important, once-in-a-lifetime occasion, it's nice to have a statement piece… this is what evolved."

It's fair to say that Winslet is Natalie's highest profile customer to date. After graduating from the Costume, Make-up and Special Effects course at the London College of Fashion, she spent seven years making prosthetic limbs for amputees at a private clinic before starting her line 'Ellsewhere' four years ago.

Then, earlier this year, she was commissioned by the Royal Academy of Arts to create over 70 masks for an event to mark the Olympic Opening Ceremony.

The hats commissioned by Kate Winslet for a private event.

But all that could be about to change after such a public celebrity endorsement.

At present, her creations are all made to order at prices ranging from £700 to upwards of £4,000 for the more elaborate pieces involving silicone sculpture, though there are a selection of fantastical masks available to buy on her website
www.ellsewhere.com.

While we're not sure Ellner's creations are up every Kate's street (look away Duchess), expect to see a lot more of this precociously talented artist's work in the future.

Katharine Hamnett, decked out in a Philip Treacy hat, holds her CBE medal in June 2011. Photo: PA